I am Immigrant.com » Transportation

Driving license: practical test

RubyDo — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 07:14:37 +0000

If you do not have driving license from other country, to pass the practical test you need to do 12 hrs in a driving school before applying for the test. Only driving schools can give you this certificate.

If you already have a license from other country, they you can take some lessons to know the driving rules before applying for the exam.

Where to take the driving lessons :
1. Driving schools: The rate if high $30-$55 / hour
2- Private lesson with certified instructor : $25 and more
Search on Kijiji.ca for “driving lessons” and you will find plenty of them.
If you are in Montreal, call this instructor. he offers lessons in good rate and and has lots of patience. Karim : 514.577.3176 (Arabic-French-English)

Why is it important to take lessons before the exam?
Practicing before the exam is important to know the driving rules in the province and also instructors usually takes you to the same places where you do the exam and tell you the frequent mistakes, so you learn more.

If you don’t pass the exam from the first time don’t get depressed.. most of people don’t

Good luck

Buy a bike!

RubyDo — Mon, 04 May 2009 02:03:50 +0000

Getting a bike is something really useful and nice. When the summer come after the long months of the winter, riding a bike on a river way adds a special refreshing feeling.

You can use the bike as a method of transportation or even for sports.

Bike Path in Montreal

Reference : http://cyclingfunmontreal.blogspot.com/2007/04/onling-montreal-bike-path-map.html

The Velo Quebec website (http://www.velo.qc.ca/english/index.php) has an excellent, up-to-date ON-LINE MAP of the complete Montreal region bike path network.

The map is located in Vélo Quebec’s “La ville à vélo” web page. This page is where you can learn about urban cycling. (link). The map is identified as “Montreal Cyclable” on the left side of the page.

Pistes cyclables Montréal

Cycling activities

This facebook group is about cyclists in Montreal
(http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=39769600960&ref=share)

Where to buy a bike?

This is where u can surf bikes http://www.comptant.com/

In Montreal, this store is selling used bikes in good prices velomakak 5149373553, www.velomakak.com

Canadian tire (canadiantire.ca) has a wide options of new bikes too.

Bikes Buying Guide

Reference from: Canadian tire buying guide

Head out on two wheels

Park the family car, pack a picnic and head out on two wheels. The warm weather is finally here, so why not take advantage of it at a park or on a bike trail? Bike riding provides a great way to enjoy time with your family while getting some exercise, and it’s also an environmentally-friendly way to get around.

Canadian Tire is Canada’s #1 bicycle retailer. We are committed to quality and reliability and offer a wide assortment of brands and models to suit every rider. But with so many bicycle options available, how do you find the one that is right for you?

Bike Talk | Find a frame that fits
Cycling Safety and Security | Accessorize your ride

What’s your style?

Size isn’t the only important consideration when choosing a bike. Finding one that fits your riding style is just as significant. Here are a few styles to consider:

Women’s Inspired Design: Innovative design features and components are ergonomically proportioned for women’s bodies to ensure a more comfortable ride. The frame has a shortened top tube and stem for upright seating. They also have shorter crank arms for better control, narrower handlebars with inner grips and easier-to-reach brake levers, a customized seat for better support and specially-tuned suspension.
Comfort: Designed to provide a comfortable, stable ride for casual recreational use. These bikes feature wide, smooth-riding tires, larger saddles, adjustable stem, suspension seat, post, fork, and a more upright riding position.
Hybrid: Ideal for urban use, hybrids combine the upright seating of a mountain bike with the larger-diameter rims of a road bike. They typically feature a suspension seat post and fork, and an adjustable stem for added comfort.
Front-suspension mountain bike: These bikes are designed for rough terrain. The front suspension forces the front wheel to maintain contact with the trail, absorbing vibrations so they are not transferred to the rider’s arms and shoulders.
Dual-suspension mountain bike: Designed for a more comfortable ride on rough trails. The front and rear suspension forces the front and rear wheels to maintain contact with the trail to increase control, performance and speed.
Rigid mountain bike: Ideal for recreational, residential, hard-packed and paved path use.
Road: Also referred to as a racing bike, they are aerodynamically designed for speed. Road bikes have a lightweight frame, drop handlebars and narrow tires, and are designed to be ridden on paved roads.
Electric: These bikes are designed to make it easier to get from point A to point B. Riders can choose from three different riding options: pedal-powered, power-assisted or battery-powered. Electric bikes have a battery that recharges through any household outlet.
Children’s: Scaled down for smaller riders. They typically feature wider tires and coaster or side-pull brakes. Some have training wheels.

Bike talk

Brakes – Brakes are an important safety feature on any bike, but there are differences. Calliper brakes have a pair of pads (shoes) that move inwards towards the rim. Cantilever brakes are calliper brakes in which the pivot point is below the rim and attached to the frame or fork. Disc brakes consist of a metal disc attached to the wheel hub that rotates with the wheel. Callipers are attached to the frame or fork, along with pads that squeeze together on the disc. Disc brakes offer good performance in all conditions, including water, mud and snow. Coaster brakes are found on children’s bikes and some comfort bikes. They are built into the rear hub and are engaged by pedalling backwards.

Derailleur – This is a mechanism found on bikes with more than one speed that moves the chain from one sprocket to another to change gears. Many bikes sold at Canadian Tire have Shimano derailleurs. Shimano is a leading manufacturer of bicycle parts.

Frame – The frame is the skeleton of the bike on which all other parts rest. Most bikes sold at Canadian Tire have diamond frames. These frames have two triangles. The front has a top tube, seat tube, down tube and head tube. The rear has a seat tube, seat stays and chain stays. Frames sold at Canadian Tire are constructed of either aluminum for lightness and speed or high-tensile steel.

Bicycle speeds – Bikes sold at Canadian Tire range from single-speed children’s bikes to 24-speed men’s and women’s bikes. The more speeds the bike has, the wider the options over different terrain. By shifting the gears, you can change the distance covered with each pedal. If you’re travelling up a hill, or over difficult terrain, shifting down to a lower gear or speed can help make it easier, but if your legs begin spinning too fast, shift up to a higher gear.

Handlebars – Handlebars can impact the bike’s aerodynamics, comfort and aesthetics. Drop or racing-style handlebars are designed to put the rider in a low, aerodynamic riding position to minimize drag on the bike. They have swept-down ends. Upright handlebars are designed for a more comfortable ride. They put the rider in an erect position that is more comfortable for low-intensity cruising. They are also found on mountain bikes.

Saddle – Saddle construction can make or break a comfortable ride. Look for gel cushioning for comfort and saddles designed to minimize pressure in the seating area.

Shifters – These are the levers that allow the rider to shift gears. They are often found mounted on the handlebars.

Suspension – Suspension systems are designed to make riding over rough terrain more comfortable. The suspension allows the wheels to respond to small bumps by moving up and down. This helps cushion the rider from shocks and keeps the tires in contact with the ground for better control and performance. Front- or dual-suspensions can be found in motocross or mountain bikes and hybrids.

Find a frame that fits

Finding the right fit is important for your comfort, ease-of-use and safety. It’s always helpful if you can try one on for size, but if that’s not possible, there are a few guidelines you can follow to find the right size frame for your frame.

Adult Bike Sizing
(Our adult bikes are designed ideally for ages 14 and up)

Leg Inseam	Frame Size	Wheel Size
28–30″ (71-76 cm)	18″ (45 cm)	26″ (66 cm)
30-32″ (76-81 cm)	20″ (50 cm)	26″ (66 cm)
32″ and up (81 cm and up)	21-22″ (53-55 cm)	26″ (66 cm)

Youths’ & Children’s Bike Sizing

Leg Inseam	Rim Size
Less than 16″ (40 cm)	12″ (30 cm)
16-20″ (40-50 cm)	14″ (35 cm)
20-22½” (50-57 cm)	16″ (40 cm)
22½-26″ (57-66 cm)	20″ (50 cm)
26-28″ (66-71 cm)	24″ (60 cm)

Cycling Safety and Security

Before you head out, it’s important to ensure you’re properly prepared for the roads and trails.

Helmet – Helmets are your best defence against head injury. Wear a helmet each time you ride and be sure to check that it’s free from cracks and damage. They’re required by law throughout many regions in Canada.

Lights & reflectors – The more visible you are to those around you, the safer you’ll be on your ride. In many parts of Canada, reflective devices or lights are required equipment.

Bells & horns – Make yourself heard by those around you to help avoid accidents. In many parts of Canada, a sounding device is mandatory.

Locks – Be sure to lock your bike every time you leave it unattended. It’s your best defence against bicycle theft. Locks are easy to use and carry on your bike.

Accessorize your ride

There are many different ways to equip you bike.

Add a bell or horn and lights or reflectors for safety on the road
Add a kickstand for convenience
Change the saddle to make riding comfortable
A pump and repair kit are always handy in case of a flat
Use a bike lock to prevent theft
Water bottles are essential gear for long rides or hot days
Add a bike carrier to your car to take you bike anywhere

Driving license: theoretical test

RubyDo — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 03:00:30 +0000

This is for the theoretical driving test…

How to study:
To be prepared for the theoretical exam and pass from the first time you need to do the following:
Step 1: Do the knowledge test on the SAAQ website on http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/services-saaqclic/public/en/questionnaire.htm
This test is good because it give you idea about how the exam questions look like, the correct answer is coming with explanation so you start understanding the rules, it increase your english driving vocabulary. I highly recommend you to do small cards with the questions that you answered wrong and translation of the terms that you don’t know. This will keep to review things easier the night before the exam.

Step 2: Read the 2 books Driver’s Handbook & Driving a Passenger Vehicle
You can borrow the books from the library instead of buying them.
It is very important to read them, not only to pass the theoretical exam but to understand really the driving rules and the techniques to follow to be safe in Quebec especially that the weather condition here is much difficult than other places and driving require lots of attention.

Step 3: practice on the driving CD “Auto-Réussite”
Do the exercises and the test. Make sure that the version you get is not old to be able to work on your computer system. I got Auto-Réussite Version2.0, it works good on vista.
You can get the CD from these links
http://www.amazon.ca/Auto-R%C3%A9ussite-French-English/dp/B000E62PS0
http://www.renaud-bray.com/Livres_Produit.aspx?id=675188

When to take an appointment?
Don’t wait till you are prepared. It is better that you take an appointment the day you decided to study because it is not easy to find a near date right away. I got my appointment date after one month!

How long does it take me to be ready for the theoretical exam?
It depends. If you live in slow motion like me.. then a month If you study everyday 4 hours or something then I assume that after 2 weeks you will be fine.

How to take an appointment
It is your first exam and you are permanent resident right? Be careful because the tool of taking appointment online is not for you. So you need to call them.
This is the contact info.: http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/saaqclic/en/public/grv/phone.php

The papers you need to bring with you:
1-The permanent resident card
2-The confirmation of permanent residence paper. Take care this is not the certificate of selection.
If you lost this paper or can’t find it so try to take with you the certificate of selection, the passport, the medical insurance card, the permanent resident card and check the officer. Sometimes they are understandable.

The theoretical exam:
It contains 3 parts:
-The 1st part is 16 questions and you need to answer 12 correctly
-The 2nd part is 16 questions too and you need 12 correctly
-The 3rd part is 32 questions and you need to answer 28 correctly
If you fail in one part you can redo it after 7 days

When to do the practical test?
If you had a driving license in your country you can take an appointment directly after passing the theoretical test.
If you didn’t have a driving license but you wet to a school of driving after the theoretical test then you can go after 8 month for the practical test.
If you don’t plan to go for any school, then after 1 year you go for the practical test.

Train Transportation

RubyDo — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:45:00 +0000

http://www.viarail.ca/visaoffer/en_index.html
You will find discount coupons on transportation by train.

Public Transportation

RubyDo — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 05:10:54 +0000

You can live perfectly the first period of your life with the public transportation.

It is safe, nice and good.

Although public transportation is good, there are few negatives in buses service that you may face but It is supported.

In the winter, when it is a rush hour, the buses are really crowded.
The bus for sure takes more time than the car. You will need to plan your schedule and events upon the bus availability.
The bus do not go outside the town. For example in winter, the sky mountains and the “La Cabane à sucre” can’t be reached with bus.
The bus takes more time than a car so the distance from the east to the west Island in weekends takes 1:30min and by car it is 30 mins.
When there is snow, expect the bus to be late.
There are less buses serving in the weekends

The following are information for Montreal.

I guess the Metro welcome message is the first thing we remember in French in Montreal.
“La STM vous souhaite la bienvenue à bord. Prochaine station, … ”

1. Bus Types

Blue: The normal bus covers all the day till 11pm or midnight I guess.
Green: The express bus covers certain hours only, the rush hours.
Black: The night bus covers the night shift ex-1am, 2am…

There is a “Between two stops service (for women who travel alone at night)”.

2. Knowing the next bus schedule while waiting on the bus stop

In case the bus schedule is not attached to the bus stop, you can call “514-AUTOBUS” then enter the 5 digits of the bus stop to know when the next bus is coming. Better to call if this place is strange to you because you may stay waiting and the bus never shows up .

This happened to me while waiting for a bus number 470 in Montreal and that was an express bus that works only in rush hours!

3. On the internet, use the travel planner before you leave

http://www2.stm.info/azimutsb/recherche.wcs?lng=a

Very easy way that tell you which transportation you take and how much time.

4. Metro map and bus schedules

http://stm.info/English/metro/a-mapmet.htm

http://stm.info/English/bus/a-index.htm

5. Transportation STM- services:

Security service
STM’s security officers
The statement of offence

Emergencies
To report is to help – what to do in case of emergency

Safety and security
Public transit rules
Beware of pickpockets!
Travelling safely with a youth group
Between two stops service (for women who travel alone at night)
Holding metro doors: don’t do it.
Fighting graffiti
Caution!
Info-Crime

Youth
Info-Crime Jeunesse
Urban Legends (myth and fact about the STM’s rules)

General Tips

Come early to the bus stop
Sometimes the bus drivers comes early! yes, that’s what the bus driver of bus 95-Montreal does everyday. He comes 8:50am instead of 8:57am So make sure to be on the bus stop 10 mins early. The funny is that when the bus comes, the driver find nobody to take and when he leaves the queue starts and people look with angry face to the driver of 9:05am as they thought the bus came late

Wave to the driver from the other side of the street
When the bus stop is on the other side of the street, the bus is there but the light is red so you can not cross to take it. What do you do?
Waveee.. yes!!! wave for the driver till he sees you. He most probably will stop and wait for you. “Most probably” because sometimes drivers decide to ignore you just like that… it is not common but it happened to me.